CAMERON BOOZER, TOMMY LLOYD, AND RUEBEN CHINYELU EARN 2026 NAISMITH HONORS
INDIANAPOLIS (April 5, 2026) – The Atlanta Tipoff Club announced today that Duke’s Cameron Boozer has won the 2026 Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy, honoring him as the most outstanding men’s college basketball player.
Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd was named the 2026 Werner Ladder Naismith Men’s Coach of the Year, while Florida’s Rueben Chinyelu earned the 2026 Naismith Men’s Defensive Player of the Year Presented by MOLECULE.
“The season-long performances and achievements of these winners have made them stand out as the best college basketball had to offer fans across the country this year,” said Eric Oberman, President of the Atlanta Tipoff Club. “From Cameron’s impressive skills displayed in every game, to Tommy’s steadfast leadership in guiding his team to the Final Four, and Reuben’s relentless defensive efforts, these three individuals have truly earned the distinction of being this year’s Naismith Award winners.”
He becomes the 10th Duke player to win a Jersey Mike’s Men’s Naismith Trophy, which is the most of any program since the award was first presented in 1969. Past Blue Devil winners include Cooper Flagg (2025), Zion Williamson (2019), JJ Redick (2006), Jason Williams (2002), Shane Battier (2001), Elton Brand (1999), Christian Laettner (1992), Danny Ferry (1989), and Johnny Dawkins (1986). It is also the 14th men’s award for Duke, as Mike Krzyzewski was named Coach of the Year in 1989, 1992, and 1999, while being honored as the 2025 Naismith Outstanding Contributor to Men’s Basketball Award winner.
Boozer becomes just the fifth freshman to win the Jersey Mike’s Men’s Naismith Trophy. He is also the third Duke freshman to win, following Flagg and Williamson. The other freshmen to have won the trophy are Anthony Davis (Kentucky, 2012) and Kevin Durant (Texas, 2007).
Coupled with Flagg winning last year, this is the first time ACC players, let alone from the same program, have won the award in consecutive years since Battier and Williams did in 2001 and 2002. Boozer is the 19th winner from the ACC, the most from any conference. The previous 18 awards were won by 16 players, with Virginia’s Ralph Sampson winning three times (1981, 82, 83).
Boozer won the award over finalists Darius Acuff Jr. (Arkansas), AJ Dybantsa (BYU), and Yaxel Lendeborg (Michigan).
About the 2026 Jersey Mike’s Naismith Men’s Player of the Year Cameron Boozer:
- ACC Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year in a remarkable freshman campaign.
- Consensus First Team All-American who helped lead Duke to a 35-3 overall record and a 17-1 mark in ACC play. The Blue Devils captured both the ACC regular-season and ACC Tournament championships and earned the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, advancing to the Elite Eight.
- Led Duke in scoring, rebounding, and assists, averaging 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game while shooting 55.6% from the field. He started all 38 contests, totaling 855 points, 389 rebounds, and 157 assists.
- Recorded at least 13 points, five rebounds, and two assists in every game, the longest such streak by any Division I player (men’s or women’s) this century.
- He is the first freshman or sophomore to average at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists in a season since Larry Bird in 1976-77, and the only Division I player in the last 30 years to total 700 points, 300 rebounds, and 100 assists while shooting at least 50% from the field in a single regular season.
“I’m incredibly honored to receive the Naismith Player of the Year Award,” Boozer said. “When you think about the history of this award and all the great players who’ve been recognized before, it really puts things in perspective. It’s something I don’t take lightly. This game has given me so much, and I’ve been lucky to be surrounded by amazing teammates, coaches, and a family that’s supported me every step of the way. They’ve challenged me, believed in me, and helped me grow not just as a player, but as a person. I know I still have a long way to go, and this recognition just motivates me to keep working and do everything I can to keep improving every day.”
Lloyd becomes the first men’s or women’s coach or player from Arizona to win a season-based Naismith Award. Former Arizona head coach Lute Olson, who retired in 2007, was later recognized with the Naismith Outstanding Contributor to Men’s Basketball Award in 2013.
This is the fifth time in the award’s 40-year history that the winner has come from the Big 12, but the first time that the coach has not been from the state of Kansas. Previous conference winners include Jerome Tang (Kansas State, 2023), while the other three are from the University of Kansas: Bill Self (2012), Roy Williams (1997), and Larry Brown (1988).
The other 2026 finalists were Nebraska’s Fred Hoiberg, Michigan’s Dusty May, and Duke’s Jon Scheyer.
About 2026 Werner Ladder Naismith Men’s Coach of the Year Tommy Lloyd:
- Named 2026 Big 12 Coach of the Year after leading Arizona to its first Big 12 regular-season title.
- Led team to a 36-3 record, which is a program record for most wins in a season in school history, one better than the 35 wins in 1987-88.
- This year, his team was 4-1 against Top 10 opponents, with all of those games coming on the road or at a neutral site.
- Led team to the Big 12 Conference tournament title.
- Guided the Wildcats to a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and their fifth consecutive NCAA appearance under his leadership.
- Arizona also earned the No. 1 seed in the Big 12 Tournament, continuing one of the nation’s most consistent five-year runs.
- This is the second time in Lloyd’s tenure that Arizona has been awarded a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
“It is an honor to be named Naismith Coach of the Year,” said Lloyd. “While the award might have my name on it this year, it truly is a collective group effort between our coaches, players, and support staff. There are so many people who have helped us along the way, and we wouldn’t be in this position without them.”
“Werner recognizes Coach Lloyd for his discipline, preparation, and ability to deliver when it matters most,” said Stacy Gardella, Head of Global Marketing Technology & Operations at ProDriven Global Brands. “The Naismith Coach of the Year Award represents the highest level of performance in collegiate basketball, and Coach Lloyd has demonstrated that standard through the way his team competed all season. We are proud to honor his accomplishment.”
Chinyelu becomes the first player or coach from Florida to win a Naismith Award. One of the top rebounders and rim protectors in college basketball, he helped the Gators be one of the top defensive teams in the nation. He is the second player in the nine-year history of the award to win from a SEC school, following Auburn’s Walker Kessler in 2022. The other finalists for the award included Flory Bidunga (Kansas), Zuby Ejiofor (St. John’s), and Houston’s Joseph Tugler, who was also a finalist in 2025.
About 2026 Naismith Men’s Defensive Player of the Year Presented by MOLECULE Rueben Chinyelu:
- Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year and All-Defensive Team honoree.
- Averaged 11.2 rebounds per game, which was fourth in the nation.
- Finished the season with 36 blocks.
- Helped the team rank among the Top 10 in the nation in the KenPom defensive ratings.
“MOLECULE is honored to recognize Rueben for a standout season that has more than earned him this prestigious distinction,” said Kevin Blossom, SVP and General Manager of MOLECULE. His dominant performances and relentless drive to compete at the highest level demonstrate an elite combination of talent and determination. Celebrating everything he has achieved this year is truly a privilege.”
JERSEY MIKE’S NAISMITH PLAYER OF THE YEAR | WERNER LADDER NAISMITH COACH OF THE YEAR
Boozer and Lloyd were chosen by the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s national voting academy, comprised of leading media members from around the country, current and former head coaches, former award winners, and conference commissioners, all of whom based their selections on outstanding on-court performances during the 2025-26 college basketball season.
Additionally, fans had the opportunity to cast a ballot through naismithfanvote.com, which accounted for 5% of the overall vote. The vote was tabulated and verified by the Forensic Accounting team of iDiscovery Solutions, Inc., a consulting firm of experts.
Boozer will be awarded the Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy, produced and provided by Herff Jones, a leading provider of graduation and educational products and services designed to inspire achievement and create memorable experiences for students. Herff Jones will donate a replica trophy to Duke in honor of his award.
NAISMITH DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY MOLECULE
The Atlanta Tipoff Club’s board of selectors, comprised of leading journalists from around the country, selected the winner based on outstanding on-court defensive performances during the 2025-26 college basketball season.
# # #
Media Contact:
Jordan De La Cruz
Atlanta Tipoff Club
jordan.delacruz@naismithtrophy.com
(770) 617-2222
ABOUT THE ATLANTA TIPOFF CLUB
Founded during the 1956-57 season, the Atlanta Tipoff Club is committed to promoting the game of basketball and recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of those who make the game so exciting. The Atlanta Tipoff Club administers the Naismith Awards, the most prestigious national honors in all of college and high school basketball. Named in honor of Dr. James Naismith, inventor of the game of basketball, the Naismith Awards family annually recognizes the most outstanding men’s and women’s college and high school basketball players and coaches. Other Naismith Awards are presented to the men’s and women’s college basketball defensive players of the year, as well as lifetime achievement awards to basketball officials and outstanding contributors to the game. UCLA’s Lew Alcindor received the first Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy in 1969, while the late Anne Donovan (Old Dominion) was the inaugural women’s recipient in 1983. Corporate partners of the Naismith Awards include AXIA Time, Jersey Mike’s, MOLECULE, and Werner Ladder. For more information, visit www.naismithtrophy.com.
ABOUT JERSEY MIKE’S SUBS
Jersey Mike’s Subs, with locations open and in development throughout the United States, serves authentic, fresh-sliced and fresh-grilled subs on in-store, freshly baked bread – the same recipe it started with in 1956. Passion for giving in Jersey Mike’s local communities is reflected in its mission statement, “Giving … making a difference in someone’s life.” For more information, visit jerseymikes.com or follow the brand on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X.
ABOUT WERNER®
Werner, a ProDriven Global Brand, is the official ladder of NCAA® March Madness® and the world leader in ladders with a complete line of climbing products designed for working at heights. The portfolio includes ladders, scaffolding, pump jacks, stages, planks, accessories and fall protection equipment including harnesses, lanyards, anchors and compliance kits. From ladders to fall protection, WERNER provides a full line of climbing equipment that is engineered for maximum safety, durability and productivity at every height. All Werner products meet or exceed applicable international safety standards. For more information, visit www.wernerladder.com.
ABOUT MOLECULE
MOLECULE, a premier performance sleep company, designs products that are Air-Engineered™ for cooler sleep, helping people achieve optimal rest and recovery so they can maximize performance in their active lifestyles. Developed by a team of renowned sleep scientists, neurologists and engineers, MOLECULE products are trusted by elite athletes such as Alex Morgan and Michael Phelps. MOLECULE products are designed in the USA and are delivered directly to your door with free shipping and risk-free trials. For more information, visit us at http://www.onmolecule.com/.